Animal Quackers threatened with closure

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A popular tourist attraction has been threatened with closure once again.

Huttock Top Farm, in Bacup, was refused permission to operate as Animal Quackers petting farm by council bosses during a meeting this week.

But owner Terry Bork, 50, said he will appeal the decision and will apply for a temporary events licence to go ahead with his annual Christmas grotto.

After the meeting, he said: “The committee was bringing up all sorts of things like disability legislation and the access up Newchurch Old Road, even though the county council has no objections.

“That road has accommodated over 40,000 visitors in the five years we’ve been open without any congestion.

“When the committee visited the farm we were having work done and it looked like a building site because it’s not open to the public at the moment.

“We are in a strong position to address all concerns and meet all conditions.

“We don’t want to close. This year has been our best yet and we’ve had nearly 10,000 visitors from all over the country.”

But members of Rossendale council’s development control committee unanimously refused the retrospective application after raising concerns about highways access and the impact on neighbours.

Coun Jackie Oakes said access to the farm would be unsuitable for minibuses and raised concerns about the position of a dung heap.

She said: “The principle of a petting farm is a really good one. But Newchurch Old Road is a bridleway and I think it’s an accident waiting to happen.

Mr Bork said he will now lodge an appeal with the planning inspectorate.

He already has an ongoing appeal lodged against an enforcement notice ordering him to cease operating the site as a visitor attraction and to remove a static caravan which is being used as a residence.